Artificial ear-drum.



E BAUM.

ARTIFICIAL EAR DRUM.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.26.1915.

1 201704. Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

0 x-xF/a.z-. /6 3 i /7 K" "I I "I.. b A5) :y /j I mi llll lll CY y "l mu .EHEEI" WITNESSES W INVENTOR ATTORNEYS EDWARD BAUM, 0F PHILADELPHIA, YENNSYLVANIA.

ARTIFICIAL EAR-DRUM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed October 26, 1915. Serial No. 58,047.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD BAUM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Artificial Ear-Drum, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a novel artificial ear drum and a novel method of making it.

The ear drum is designed to be used by persons with defective and impaired hearing and is adapted to be inserted into the external ear canal (meatus externus) in such a manner as to be brought into perfect coaptation with the natural drum (membrana tympani) without causing irritation, pain or danger thereto.

One object of my invention is to provide an artificial ear drum which is simple and effective in construction, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be inserted in the ear without necessitating the employment of probes, wires, forceps, or hard hollow tubes, such as have heretofore been used.

Another object of my invention is to eliminate the use of tubes, plugs, parafiined stiffened cords, or threads, springs, or molded bodies therewith, which are not only uncomfortable and painful but do not form the shape of or conform to the meatus or tympanum. Such devices do not form the proper medium to conduct the sound waves, and deaden the vibratory function of the drum. They further impair and muflie the sound conducting qualities of the canal, distort the meatus externus and decrease the lumen of the channel through which the sound waves should pass, and which must be unobstructed to insure the sound waves reaching the artificial drum and in turn the natural drum.

Another object of my invention'is to eliminate the use of rubber to form the drum and the disadvantages arising from its use. Rubber is a non-conductor of sound waves and obtunds and deadens the sound and is dangerous to employ since it readily disintegrates under the influence of body heat,

especially when worn in the ear. It also deteriorates under the influence of perspiration, cerumen (ear wax), and other secretions and excretions 0f the ear, and draws and inflames the delicate lining membrane of the external meatus, causing chafing, swelling and pain.

Another object of my invention is to form an artificial ear drum provided with multiple, parallel sound accumulators, folded upon a horizontal circular base and which can be readily inserted without force or injury to the delicate ear channel. In prior devices, the folding is uncertain and the artificial drum is not brought into uniform contact with the tympanum but is pointed and causes pain and irritation and is injurious to the natural drum, and the supposed folding requires an experienced and skilled operator. There is a certain tension upon the looped thread which enters through the disk to hold it in situ, and as the thread comes in contact with the sensitive tympanum between the folded pointed disk and the tympanum, a rasping and grating sound is caused. and confusion and distress results.

Another obiect of my invention is to pro vide an artificial ear drum in which the sound waves are conveyed through and increased to the natural drum or tympanum by traversing three or more multiple cornucopial shaped accumulators which convey the sound waves with greater volume and force to the artificial drum, and by the intensified vibrations through the intensifiers, the sound waves are increased in volume to the natural drum or tympanum and transmitted to the auditory nerves.

Another object of my invention is to provide an artificial ear drum in which the construction of the multiple cornucopial or cone shaped accumulators permit of an easy and or natural drum, and for sustaining the tympanum while the artificial drum is held in its position.

Another object of my invention is to devise an artificial ear drum in which the construction is formed by three or more multiple cornucopial or cone shaped accumulators in which the outer or distal expanded openings are largest, gradually diminishing their lumen toward their approximal ends, with smaller openings into an expanded or ampulla like cavity. The continuation of the outer folds of the multiple accumulators expands outwardly into a roll like fold Continuous with a perpendicular circular surface diaphragm or artificial drum, approximating the natural drum or tympanum upon which the intensified vibratory sound waves are transmitted through the multiple cornucopial shaped accumulators into the ampulla across to the diaphragm or artificial drum, and thence to the tympanum.

Another object of my invention is to devise an artificial ear drum adapted to be inserted into the ear and which is applicable where the perforations and destruction either total or in part of the natural drum or tympanum prevails, and which provides for ample ventilation and drainage therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide an artificial ear drum which is as soft as the tissue or part with which it is designed to come into contact.

Another object of my invention is to devise an artificial ear drum adapted to be inserted by the use of a conforming four slotted end flexible inserter which is smaller than the natural channel or external meatus and carries the drum in its natural construction, with its regular conformity with the channel or with a smooth and correct apposition with the natural drum or tympanum, and whereby the same is retained and the inserter is removed.

Other objects of my invention and other features of construction and advantage will more clearly appear in the detailed description.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an artificial drum embodying my invention,

showing the manner in which the parts appear when being inserted into the ear. Fig. 2 represents a sectional view of the drum with the inserter. Fig. 3 represents an end view of the inserter. Fig. 4 represents a section on the line of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a plan view of the blank before it has been folded. Fig. 6 represents a sectional view of the drum. Fig. 7 represents an end view of the drum viewed from the forward end. Fig. 8 represents an end view of the drum viewed from the rear.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding'parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings: 1 designates a blank of material from which my artificial ear drum is constructed and the material of which the drum is made preferably consists of a membrane which is smooth, elastic, pliable and flexible, such as, for example, treated silk fabric. The outer edge of the membrane forms a plurality of rounded surfaces 2, which in the form illustrated are four in number. The body portion of the membrane 1 is provided with the radial slits or cuts 3, a, 5, and 6, which communicate with the circular slits or cuts 7, 8, 9 and 10, respectively. The circular cuts are preferably substantially of the circle. The blank is then folded into the position seen in Figs. 6 and 8 and the juxtaposed edges are cemented or otherwise secured together, as indicated at 11. This forms at one end a flexible disk 12, which is rounded or dished, and extending outwardly from said disk 12 are the cornucopial megaphone shaped appendages 13, which in the form illustrated are four in number. These appendages are in continuity with the disk and are sustained by the four piller li re supports ll, (see Figs. land 8), and four openings 15 are provided in proximity to the disk 12.

16 designates the inserter, which is provided with four radial slots 17 at its forward end, which are adapted to engage the pillar supports 14, in order to insert the artificial drum in place. The manner in which the artificial ear drum is inserted in the car will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 1.

It will thus be seen that I provide an artiiicial ear drum consisting of. a smooth, elastic and pliable disk having multiple cornucopial megaphone shaped appendages in continuity with the artificial drum and which are sustained by four pillar like supports held in apposition by four folds which are coaptated in the center. The body portion of the artificial drum occupies a position in the ear substantially parallel with the ear drum proper and at the rim of the body portion are interrupted circular cuts forming ports, and the body is curled in upon itself to form the smaller opening of the cornucopial or megaphone accumulators. The rim portion, when folded, is at substantially right angles with the body portion.

The body portion of the artificial drum is substantially cup-shaped and adapted to rest parallel with the natural drum and to conform with or fit into contact with the drum proper.

The body of the cup-shaped disk at its rim is in continuity with the multiple cornucopial megaphone sound commutators which are held and folded and sustained by the pillar like supports in apposition or coaptated in the center, it being seen that at the junction of the rim of the body of the disk the circular interrupted cuts are provided which permit the curling in or forming of the smaller cornucopial openings, thereby forming multiple air passageways.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in carrying out my method, a blank 1 of suitable material is formed and the cuts 3 to 10 inclusive made therein either prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequent to the formation of the blank. The blank is then formed into the shape seen in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, and the juxtaposed edges or faces connected together preferably by cementing them. In this manner, a body portion is formed having at the forward end, a dia phragm which is preferably of concave formation and is connected with the megaphone sound accumulators, which latter gradually increase in diameter toward their free end and their outer faces also form passages for the sound waves converging toward the drum diaphragm. Owing to the cuts 3, 4, 5 and 6, the walls of the cornucopial shaped accumulators will have the proper contour at their forward end to direct the sound waves against the disk 12.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful artificial ear drum, which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An artificial ear drum, comprising a disk, with megaphone shaped sound accumulators extending therefrom.

2. An artificial ear drum, comprising a concave disk, with megaphone shaped sound accumulators extending therefrom.

3. An artificial ear drum, comprising a disk, with megaphone shaped sound accumulators extending therefrom, and provided with ports in proximity to the disk.

4. An artificial ear drum, comprising a disk, with megaphone shaped sound accumulators extending therefrom, there being at the juncture of the rim of the disk and said accumulators, interrupted circular cuts.

5. An artificial ear drum, comprising a disk, with megaphone shaped sound accumulators extending therefrom, and the juxtaposed walls of the accumulators being connected together.

6. An artificial ear drum, comprising a blank of smooth pliable material having a plurality of cuts therein, said blank being folded to form a plurality of cornucopial shaped accumulators, the juxtaposed Walls of which are united, and a disk, the rim of which is connected with the walls of the plurality of accumulators.

7. An artificial ear drum, comprising a smooth, elastic and pliable disk with multiple cornucopial megaphone shaped appendages integral therewith and sustained by a plurality of pillar like supports held in apposition by folds coaptated in the center.

8'. An artificial ear drum, having a body portion adapted to occupy a position in the ear substantially parallel with the drum proper and provided at the rim portion with interrupted cuts, and said body being curled inwardly to form a plurality of megaphone shaped accumulators.

9. An artificial ear drum, comprising a dished membrane, the body of which is adapted to rest parallel with the natural drum and to conform with or fit into contact with the drum proper, and megaphone shaped appendages formed from said membrane and coaptated to form a plurality of megaphone shaped accumulators.

10. An artificial ear drum, comprising a smooth, elastic and pliable membrane, and shaped to form a disk, with multiple cornucopial megaphone shaped accumulators, the folds of which are in apposition and coaptated at the center to form pillars.

11. An artificial ear drum, comprising a smooth, elastic and pliable membrane, and shaped to form a disk, with multiple cornucopial megaphone shaped accumulators, the juxtaposed surfaces of which are in apposition and coaptated at the center to form pillars, said membrane at the rim of the disk having interrupted circular cuts to permit the folding in of the fabric.

12. An artificial ear drum, comprising a blank of pliable material, shaped to form a concave disk with megaphone shaped accumulators extending therefrom and having their lumen decreasing in diameter to- Ward said disk.

13. An artificial ear drum, having interrupted cuts of approximately one-eighth of the circle, and cuts extending outwardly from said circular cuts, and having a disk With ports at its rim and with megaphone shaped accumulators directed toward the 10 disk.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a blank for making artificial ear drums, comprising a disk having at its central portion interrupted cuts of approximately oneeighth of the circle, and provided With cuts extending outwardly from the circular cuts.

EDXVARD BAUM, M. D. Witnesses E. HAYWARD FAIRBANKS,

C. D. MoVAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

